David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will be back for the six-episode limited comeback of "The X-Files." Photo Credit: FOX

How to generate excitement over the return of a classic series like "The X Files" -- which is already larded with a certain degree of skepticism as well as anticipation among the true blues who are happy that it's coming back (but not entirely sure why it is)?

Simple: Create a compelling 30-second animated tease with a Mulder voice-over posing the eternal "X Files" question: "We must ask ourselves, are we truly alone or are we being lied to?"

What's so good about this tease, released Monday during "Gotham," is that it promises something entirely up to date, but also something entirely rooted in the preoccupations of a series that found its source material during the pre-Internet era, when information really did seem shrouded under a cloak of government secrecy or hidden behind a cloud of smoke, blown by the Cigarette Smoking Man. (He's back, too -- a medical miracle considering his habit.)

This tease also promises a touch of camp; that's probably a necessary touch, too.

In any event, good tease! Check it out ...

"The X Files" returns Jan. 24 on Fox following the NFC championship (which by lead-in numbers alone will instantly confer "event status") then will air Mondays at 8.

Yes, Mulder and Scully are back -- David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Per Fox, also these guest stars: